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In a corner of Conifer there’s now a little pocket of Denver — or at least a shop that feels a lot like a city boutique with its handmade candles, locally roasted coffee and a steady stream of indie music on the speakers.

But Yellow Barn Candles + Homegoods also has a distinctive mountain feel to it: From the natural wood shelving and poured pinecone candles to handcrafted Mexican blankets and the shop’s circular barn logo, the place reflects the community it’s in.

The Evergreen Fire Protection District board formally approved last week plans to install hundreds of solar panels on the roof of Station 2, effectively ending a years-long debate over reducing the fire district’s energy consumption through photovoltaic energy and other energy-saving measures.

In a unanimous vote June 13, board members approved a $350,000 contract with Denver-based solar company BriteStreet Solar Built, the same company responsible for solar projects at the National Western Stock Show Complex and Centura Health’s Castle Rock Adventist Hospital.

Former West Jefferson Middle School teacher Michael Bueno was sentenced June 14 to jail time and probation after being convicted of two Class-4 felonies — contributing to the delinquency of a minor and sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust.

In 2015, Brad Rupert announced his bid for a seat on the Jeffco school board after three board members — John Newkirk, Ken Witt and Julie Williams — were targeted for recall by community members who felt they lacked accountability, transparency and general respect for the community they were elected to serve. Running on a platform of outcome-focused decision-making and with a desire to rebuild trust in the community, Rupert was ultimately elected treasurer of the board and replaced Williams.

Starting this fall, math teachers at Fitzsimmons Middle School in Bailey will undertake a new curriculum aimed at improving students’ foundational math skills, decreasing learning gaps among students with disabilities and aligning math curriculum at all schools in the Platte Canyon School District.

Announced at the June 12 Platte Canyon school board meeting, the move is in response to changing educational demands and a teaching staff that FMS principal Ginger Slocum said needs more educational support.

Lee Sweetland is a familiar sight to those frequenting Evergreen Lake in the mornings.

The 90-year-old, carrying a wooden staff, is an almost daily walker near the Lake House. He used to walk along Bear Creek to the dam and back, but with the North Lake Trail closed, he makes do with walking the triangle along the creek, across the boardwalk and through the parking lot.

He walks because he knows how important it is to stay active, especially at his age, and because he loves both the outdoors and Evergreen.

The entries in the Evergreen Rodeo Parade on Saturday were as diverse as the organizations here.

Some entries adhered to the “Best of the Wild Wild West” theme, while others diverged from the Western theme.

The Friends of Evergreen Dog Park walked with dogs alongside a car decorated like a dog, while senior citizens from Elk Run rode in a mock covered wagon with “Oh, What a Beautiful Morning” from the musical “Oklahoma!” playing.

Mountain biking season is in full swing, and with that, the Evergreen Park & Recreation District junior mountain biking program kicked off last week at Elk Meadow and Alderfer/Three Sisters.

The junior program — for ages 8-12 — has been running for six years. This year, though, EPRD added an advanced mountain biking program for 10- to 16-year-olds who are transitioning between the junior program and a high school team, said recreation supervisor Kendra Lind.

This is the question Evergreen resident Richard Mancuso would ask via his first book, “The Good Don,” based on his father who had been a “don”-type figure in Manhattan, N.Y., during the Great Depression.

Mancuso, who is originally from New York, described how, growing up, he never knew about his father’s previous role as a “don” in the neighborhood, but there was always some suspicion.